Four policemen were suspended today and the SHO was shunted to police line after the alleged rape and murder of a 21-year-old woman factory worker here on the outskirts of Delhi.

Shocked over the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced a compensation of Rs 15 lakh and a job to the victim's family.

Meanwhile, three persons were questioned in connection with the incident which occurred on Friday night when the victim, an employee of a garment factory at Sector 65, was returning home in Sector 63 area of Noida.

Her semi-nude body, bearing injury marks, was found yesterday morning from Pushta area in Sector 63.

The woman was cremated today amid allegations from her family members that the police had earlier refused to file a complaint, and later delayed handing over her body.

Her last rites were performed at Hindon cremation ground.

The woman, who was the eldest daughter, had stayed late on the fateful day to earn extra bucks for her family.

The Noida Police have detained three suspects and are interrogating them to nab those who committed the heinous crime, police said.

The parents of the deceased suspect involvement of local youths. They said that four years ago a youth, who was stalking her for long, had tried to forcibly enter their house and meet the girl.

On residents' intervention, the matter was sorted out and warning was given to the youth.

Though they had given complaint to the police no action was taken, the family claimed.

Police were trying to identify the culprits with the help of the woman's colleagues, CCTV footage of the company and other nearby factories.

Meanwhile, National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC) Vice Chairperson Raj Kumar Verka visited Noida and met parents of the victim and directed the police to treat the matter under the SC/ST Act as the woman was Dalit.

Verka, who heard the victim's parents, relatives and neighbours, said, "Had the police acted on the complaint lodged by her four years ago the current situation of rape and murder could have been avoided.

"As the accused youth was spared two years ago and no action was taken, he got encouraged. He may be involved in the heinous crime. It is, however, for the police to investigate," he said.

He expressed concern over the rising cases of atrocities on SC/ST persons in the state especially women.

NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma said, "Whatever promise the police is making they have to stand by that. Those officers who were there on duty then should be suspended, we have sent a request on this. They also should be punished.

"The police is there to secure common man, especially women. According to me the on-duty officer must be suspended, on ground of humanity he should have enquired into the whereabouts the girl. They should have acted as soon as the complaint was filed and the girl would not have been dead."

The Noida Police said the four policemen were suspended as they had reportedly misbehaved with victim's parents and were negligent in their duties.

The district administration has give a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh and promised more amount from the state government.

"Once we receive the amount (announced by the chief minister) it will be disbursed to victim's family," a district officer said.

At Greater Noida, Mahila Shakti Sammajik Sammittee representatives held a rally demanding arrest of the killers.

President of Noida Entrepreneur Association Vipin Malhan said, "Law and order situation has deteriorated and women are not safe in the city. Over 50,000 workers are employed in factories and institutions in Sector 63, 64 and 65. Of them 40 per cent are women. This incident has scared them."